Senator advocates for New Hampshire opioid response funding amidst budget cuts

During a recent U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations hearing, discussions centered on the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) highlighted critical concerns regarding funding for substance use and mental health programs, particularly in states like New Hampshire, which has been severely impacted by the opioid epidemic.

Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire expressed deep concern over proposed cuts to vital funding sources, specifically the state opioid response grant program. This program has been instrumental in providing life-saving resources such as naloxone, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses, to first responders across the state. Senator Hassan emphasized that the funding has not only saved lives but has also supported prevention and recovery initiatives that are beginning to show positive results, with a decrease in overdose death rates.

However, she raised alarms about HHS's recent decision to retract nearly $5 million in mental health and substance use treatment funds allocated to New Hampshire. The senator questioned Secretary of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, about the potential elimination of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the consolidation of critical funding under an unclear framework. She urged the Secretary to commit to preserving the state opioid response grant program, which she argued is essential for local treatment programs that directly benefit communities.

In response, Secretary Becerra acknowledged the importance of addressing the opioid crisis and expressed a personal connection to the issue, sharing his own experiences with addiction in his family. He assured the committee that HHS supports community care programs and intends to continue funding effective interventions. However, he did not provide a definitive commitment to preserving the state opioid response grant program, stating that he would need to review its effectiveness.

The hearing also touched on other health issues, including diabetes research funding, which Senator Hassan co-chairs with Senator Susan Collins. The senators have been advocating for increased funding to improve access to treatments for diabetes, a significant chronic illness in the U.S.

The discussions at this hearing underscore the ongoing challenges faced by states grappling with addiction and the critical need for sustained federal support to combat the opioid crisis. As the budget proposal moves forward, the implications for funding essential health services remain a pressing concern for lawmakers and communities alike.